44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

REQUESTING THE RIO ARRIBA BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO NAME THE TIERRA AMARILLA PARK AFTER VICENTE MONTANO.

WHEREAS, Vicente Montano was born on January 14, 1940 in Nutrias, New Mexico, and he grew up in Espanola; and

WHEREAS, as a boy, he worked for the newspaper, played little league baseball and entered the boxing league; and

WHEREAS, he graduated from Tierra Amarilla high school, lettering in baseball, football and basketball; and

WHEREAS, in 1960, he married Amelia Salazar, with whom he raised three children and now enjoys the company of five grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, he has a passion for coaching, having coached little league for eighteen years, and he currently coaches adult softball; and

WHEREAS, he has volunteered for countless hours of community service; and

WHEREAS, the northern Rio Arriba American little league was formally established in 1996, and Vicente serves as a board member and coach; and

WHEREAS, Vicente teaches "his kids" to win but also to lose with grace and respect for their opponents, and he gives them the values that he lives by: respect, pride and honor;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the Rio Arriba board of county commissioners be requested to name the Tierra Amarilla park "Vicente Montano Park" in honor of his devotion to his community and to the state of New Mexico; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the Rio Arriba board of county commissioners.